Coming back to his former hideout, Asta was making great progress when it came to making up with his former squadmates. He brought gifts for all the members of the Black Bulls and everything going so well... that was until.
"Noelle wait. Can you just wait for a sec? Where are you going? Look can we just talk?" Asta persisted to make headway, as he closely followed the water mage. "Noelle, are you just gonna give me the cold shoulder while I'm here? Don't you want to listen to what I have to say?" The swordsman was starting to get aggravated, he was asking a lot of questions but the royal silva continued to ignore him. Asta had empathy for Noelle, he rude, insensitive and frankly crossed the line with his comments. Why would she take the time of day to talk to him, after what he did?
The water mage was gradually approaching her room, which struck alarm bells for the Anti-Magic user. Asta knew his next course of action was important, he had to obtain Noelle's attention.
"Noelle please just wait for one moment. Noelle stop" said the swordsman as he lunched forward and grabbed the wrist of the water mage.
It was only a split second, but Noelle pulled away from Asta's grip and venomously slapped him across the face.
"DONT YOU DARE TOUCH ME UNDERSTAND!" heavy breathing "Don't you dare... DONT EVER TOUCH ME, EVER AGAIN ASTA!"
"Noelle I'm really sorry, please just listen to me"
"NO! I DONT WANT TO HEAR IT. I already heard that crap you've been giving to the rest of the guys, they've might have forgiven you... BUT I WILL NEVER FORGIVE YOU, FOR WHAT YOU DID!"
It was a sower pill to take but Asta knew she meant it. He dug himself and was wondering how he could get out of it.
"I know... I don't expect you to forgive me..."
"SHUT UP!" shouted Noelle as she cut off the swordsman "You started that exact same sentence with everyone, you think I want to hear that same crap coming from you?!"
"You got some nerve coming back here. You're lucky I don't consider this as assault. If you lay even a finger on me, YOU'RE DEAD!"
Asta was left speechless.
"Why arent you speaking? Has this failure finally you in your place, HAS THIS FAILURE FINALLY STARTED LISTENING TO HER SQUADMATES HAH! ANSWER ME ARSEHOLE!"
"You're not a failure Noelle," whispered Asta
"WHAT WAS THAT!" yelled the water mage.
"I SAID YOU'RE NOT A FAILURE!" Asta shouted as he gripped both shoulders of the Royal Silva.
"Hey what do yo-what you think you're doing?! Let go off me Asta," Noelle struggled.
The Anti-Magic user's eyes were locked as he began gazing upon the water mage, before wrapping his arms around her in a tight told.
"I'm sorry, I'm so, so sorry Noelle. You're not a failure... you're anything but a that. It was wrong for me to do what I did, and I can't express how sorry I am. Truth is I think you're incredible... you're smart, funny, you're so talented and well... I think you're beautiful," causing the water mage to blush "I should've told you everything from the start. I should've come clean about the meeting I had, I should've been more honest with the Black Bulls, I've should've been more honest with you Noelle," tightening his told. "I understand you don't want to talk to me, I get it... But please Noelle, you're the one person I don't want to fall out with..."
It was a brief moment but Royal Silva knew the honesty of his words. Asta spoke with such sincerity and openness; she understood he felt horrible for his actions and was trying everything in his power to make things right.
For the time spent in the Black Bulls, Noelle developed a caring nature not just towards her squadmates, but for the entirety of the clover kingdom. Her outlook on the world had changed, she was no longer that spoilt mage looking down upon everyone. She grew as a person both in magic ability and character. Asta was a pivotal part of her growth, but her mind was already made up.
"Asta let go of me!"
"No not until you forgive me" Asta replied
"I SAID LET GO OF ME NOW!" she shouted
The Ant-magic user continued to ignore the mages plea, as he proceeded to hold on to her tightly. The water mage was left struggling, as she was left frantically pushing and shoving in her attempts to break free. After a few seconds, her efforts eventually paid off as the two suddenly clashed heads, thus breaking the tight hold and causing both individuals to fall on to the floor.
It was a sudden shock, but Asta was used to it. I small bump on the head didn't phase him. Unfortunately, less could be said for Noelle, her delicate forehead was dented as a small bruise started to appear.
Vexed after taking note, the water mage turned her attention, as she launched a deadly water ball right into the face of the swordsman; soaking him in his tracks.
"YOU BASTARD! WHEN I TELL YOU TO GET OFF ME, GET OFF ME RIGHT NOW!" Noelle shouted "Don't you get it? I'll never forgive you, Asta. Not in a million years. What you did was rude, disrespectful and you crossed the line that day. You already have shown your true colours, you think I want to be associated with someone like that?! Clearly, I'm not important to you."
"That's not true Noelle," said Asta as he reached out.
"Take one more step, and I'm calling the magic knights" she warned.
This was a testing period for the Royal Silva, she knew Asta meant well, but the timing, couldn't be of been any worse. Coming back after what he did, her judgement was clouded by anger and hate, the water mage was just simply unable to engage in a conversation with him.
"Just get out of here? I don't want to see you ever again. Don't visit me, don't talk to me, heck don't even look at me. I'm done with your crap and for the record..." gripping the swordsman by the collar. "I am not my family's failure... BUT YOU... YOU'RE A MAGICLESS FREAK, THAT'S ALL YOU ARE UNDERSTAND. WILL NEVER BE FRIENDS AGAIN, I HATE YOU ASTA."
Noelle released her tight grip before rushing back into her room and violently slamming the door. Asta didn't need any more hints, the sudden scene left him speechless. In his eyes, the water mage was too far from being swayed. Tears started to emerge as he began to wallow in self-pity, the swordsman wished he could take everything back and start all over again.
He rolled up his sleeves before pulling out the small gift of which he brought for Noelle. Fortunately, the prize was still intact, he closed the box and left it in front of her door step.
He knew continuing his actions would only make things worse, so instead, he took a deep breath before remembering all the good memories he had with her. A carousel of flashbacks started to flood the mind of the Anti-Magic user, joyous memories of him and the Black Bulls specifically with Noelle. He still remembers the first time they met. He looked back at each time with such fondness and was happy to have experienced every second of it.
As stubborn as he is, he wasn't gonna let this be the final straw. Time heals all wounds he told himself, and he was banking on that to do the same; he prayed next time he saw her things would turn out a lot different.
"I know you're sick of me saying this Noelle, but I'm really sorry. I hope we can still be friends."
He said one last goodbye to water mage before making his way down the stairs and greeting the rest of his former squadmates. Asta proceeded to make one last farewell as he sincerely apologised to the rest of his former squadmates and reminded them how much they meant to him. He may not be a Black Bull by name, but he is always a Black Bull by heart. "I'll see you guys soon"
"Bye Asta" replied the Black Bulls.
On the verge of making his way out the premises, his leg was pulled back by a piece of thread. Taking note of the sudden disturbance he found it was non-other Vanessa who had him locked.
"Asta so how are things with you and Noelle? Everything ok?" she wondered.
Disappointed by the outcome he decided to play along "Oh yeah! Everythings great now between me and Noelle, it's like nothing ever happened," he replied.
"Oh really, that's brilliant. Did Noelle like her gift?"
"I hope so... ah-ah I mean she hasn't opened it. No, I ah, I mean she likes it, she likes it."
"That's good to hear, I'm glad everything worked out," resting her hands around the shoulders of the Anti-Magic user "I know you were a bit rocky with everyone recently, but I just want you to remember you're our friend and you're always welcome here... never forget that" tapping his noise.
"Thanks, Vanessa I won't" embracing the thread magic-user.
Following the heartwarming reunion, Asta transformed into his Anti-Magic form and flew as he set his sites on the Golden Dawn. He was ready to start his new journey, but there was one more thing he needed to do.
"Oh yeah, that's right!" said Asta as he switched course.
It took a couple of minutes but the swordsman soon found himself approaching the Silva eagles. Given what's already it was only for him to explain himself and his decision to the silva eagles captain Nozel. Despite not having a proper invite it, it was fortunate for him to see the captain standing on the balcony of his luxurious mansion.
"EXCUSE ME CAPTAIN NOZEL! CAN WE TALK?"
The mercury mage turned swiftly as he was taken completely off guard "Asta... Wha-what is the meaning of this? Why have you come here, so suddenly." Nearly spilling his tea in the process.
"Oh ah, so-sorry Nozel. I just came here to talk about you know..."
Nozels eyes widened with pleasure as he knew exactly where this was going... little did he know what was coming next.
"Oh, why yes of course... I see you have finally come to your senses. I have already made arrangements for your new uniform. You will begin your journey as a Silva eagle in the coming days and..."
"No Nozel that's not it," said Asta as interrupted the prestigious Captain "I haven't come here to join the Silva eagles."
"What? Th-then what have you come here for?" shocking the mercury magic-user.
Asta came floating by, not knowing what to expect, and that was exactly how it planned out. After everything that had happened, it was only right of him to explain his decision and the events that had followed. He explained the situation as best as he could, but the look of disgust couldn't be wiped off the face of the Silva Eagles captain. "So that's my decision anyway, Nozel. It's nothing personal, I liked the fact when you invited me over, but this is what I have chosen. Believe me, it was a really difficult decision, and it made it even worse when the Black Bulls got involved... I hope you understand Sir Nozel."
The disgusted look turned in to a hard shoulder, as the Captain turned his back facing the An-ti Magic-user. "I see... well then I have no business with you Asta. This conversation is over. I wish you all the best with your new squad," he said as he rushed back into his palace closing the door front.
This feeling felt all too similar for our young swordsman, had it become a theme of house Silva's slamming the door on him he wondered. He understood Nozels frustration, however, it was nothing he could afford to worry about, Asta only had one thing on his mind, and that was to move forward. He shifted his wings as he set his sights on the Golden Dawns hideout, he was ecstatic he couldn't wait for the new adventures that were on the rise... Asta of Golden Dawn.
Hours after Asta had left the Black Bulls hideout, Noelle had stayed cooped up in her room during that time. Lying on her bed, silently gazing on the ceiling of her room, she couldn't believe how things had planned out. She was happy she expressed herself in the way she saw fit, glad she got her point across to the person who shamed her on the day. However, that couldn't whip away that hurtful feeling that had been spiralling inside her, was her reaction justified she asked herself. "Dam it, why do I feel so weird? That idiot deserved what he got, he's not getting any sympathy from me at all... DAM IT!" slamming her fist on the desk, "But why do I feel so bad, I don't regret what I did right?" It had become clear to the water mage, she could lye down on her bed contemplating what had just happened. For her to shake off these feelings, she knew she had to do something productive. She jumped off her bed, combed her hair and stepped outside her room. Suddenly her eyes were engrossed to the floor, as she found herself stepping on to a small case wrapped up with her name on it. Noelle's curiosity got the best of her, as she quickly snatched at the case holding it ever so tightly. She looked at both sides of the corridor to ensure no one was looking, as she gently lifts the cover.
"Wha?! This is?!"
